SINGAPORE - Singapore has jumped two spots to rank sixth in A.T. Kearney's Global Cities Index 2017, the highest ever ranking for the nation on the index which ranks cities based on their business activity, human capital, information exchange, cultural experience and political engagement.

Singapore topped the global ranking for online presence, which is used to measure a nation's information exchange level - access to information via the Internet and other media sources.

The Republic also rose six places to rank 11th in A.T. Kearney's Global Cities Outlook, that ranks cities in terms of their future potential, a release issued on Wednesday (May 31) said.

The Outlook scores cities on metrics across four key parameters: personal well-being, economics, innovation and governance. Singapore took the joint top spot for governance, which is used to measure long-term stability of a city through transparency, quality of bureaucracy and ease of doing business.

"In today's day and age, economic development by itself is no longer sufficient for a city to be a global hot spot. Cities are now measured on whether economic development is making lives better for residents," Mr Soon Ghee Chua, partner and head of South-east Asia at A.T. Kearney. "On that front, Singapore is a clear global leader. Its business-friendly environment, a world-class education system and digital connectivity have helped companies and individuals thrive, turning it into a leading global hub," he said.

Singapore also made it to the Global Elite list, which includes cities that rank in the top 25 of both the Global Cities Index and the Global Cities Outlook.

"The Outlook and Index provide a compelling look at 128 of the world's leading cities, as well as those that are poised to make a significant impact," said Mr Mike Hales, partner at A.T. Kearney and a co-author of the study.

A.T. Kearney is a leading global management consulting firm with offices in more than 40 countries.